Cycle A - 1st Sunday of Advent
Readings:
Isaiah 2:1-5
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:37-44
Source: St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
www.scborromeo.org
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Isaiah 2:1-5
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:37-44
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2 Samuel 5:1-3
Colossians 1:12-20
Luke 23:35-43
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Malachi 3:19-20a
2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Luke 21:5-19
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2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14
2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5
Luke 20:27-38
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Wisdom 11:22-12:1
2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2
Luke 19:1-10
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Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14
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Exodus 17:8-13
2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Luke 18:1-8
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2 Kings 5:14-17
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Luke 17:11-19
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Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4a
2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
Luke 17:5-10
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Amos 6:1a, 4-7
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Luke 16:19-31
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I doubt many in my circle of friends would question the statement that "religion benefits everyone, including atheist". However, some in our society do and in this very good interview with Rodney Stark, Rodney debunks many myths about religious people. His findings are very interesting and will surprise many.
A few years ago, a debate between atheists and religious believers spilled out from the halls of academia and the pews of America’s churches and into the public spotlight. A crop of atheist manifestos led the charge, surmounting and holding the tops of the nonfiction bestseller lists. This offensive brought on an outpouring of religious rebuttals. As both sides exchanged spirited volleys, accusations were leveled; myths, stereotypes, and strawmen arguments were perpetuated; and bitter hostility filled the air. Today many of these misconceptions and myths linger on, along with the generally acrimonious spirit of the debate. Distinguished researcher Rodney Stark joins us to clear the air of this hostility and debunk many of the debate’s most widely perpetuated misconceptions by drawing from an expansive pool of sociological findings. Looking at the measurable effects of religious faith and practice on American society, Stark rises above the fray and focuses exclusively on facts. His findings may surprise many, atheists and believers alike.
http://krestaintheafternoon.blogspot.com/2013/01/today-on-kresta-in-afternoon-january-15.html
Amos 8:4-7
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Luke 16:1-13
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Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-32
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Wisdom 9:13-18b
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Luke 14:25-33
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Openly debating a topic or an idea is a good way to become an informed person. In an open debate a person can hear the arguments for both sides and make an informed decision. When debate occurs in a public forum about a topic that impacts a community, a nation, or the world the informed population will generally guide the topic towards the common good rather than the good of a select few. However, in today's world of instant information through the Internet it is easy for anyone to publish a position on a topic with little resistance or opportunity for rebuttal. Then when rebuttal comes it is often dismissed as "irrational" or "religious" rather than entering into an open debate.
The audio link in this post discusses a specific example of this "irrational" and "religious" dismissal. It also discusses an example where "science" itself used a moral belief to defend their position but then condemned someone else's moral belief as irrational and religious when it disagreed with their moral position. "Science" cannot use morals when it favors their position and then simply dismiss someone else's moral position when they disagree. Open public debate is the solution, not Internet sound bites.
Hank Campbell, the founder of Science 2.0, wants our friend Wesley Smith booted from National Review. Apparently he is “anti science” because he wrote a piece opposing three-parent IVF based on moral and ethical concerns. From Campbell’s tirade: “But there is no reason National Review should be letting an anti-science fear monger take up this charge against science yet again. Conservatives claim to be more rational so there is no reason to embrace the irrational Discovery Institute, yet Wesley J. Smith, Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism and quasi-philosophical lawyer is being encouraged to mask his anti-science agenda under the guise of ethics.” Wesley responds.
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24
Luke 14:1, 7-14
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Isaiah 66:18-21
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Luke 13:22-30
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Line Up the Claimants
Revealed Truth
Miracles
New Testament Revelation
For Christians, the real existence of Jesus is central to what we believe as stated in the Nicene Creed.
.
.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
.
.
Some say Jesus never existed and others say Jesus existed on earth but he was just a prophet. Without a confidence in Jesus and his story, one’s trust in his saving grace will be limited or nonexistent. These four records from Archbishop Sheen, which are part of a series called “Your Life is Worth Living”, is one good source for strengthening that confidence.
Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Hebrews 12:1-4
Luke 12:49-53
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Wisdom 18:6-9
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Luke 12:32-48
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For many of you this will be an introduction to a way of looking at the bible through covenants that you have not heard before. I was introduced to this several years ago through talks and books by Scott Hahn. It has helped me better fit pieces of the bible and bible stories together through a clearer picture of the overall storyline the bible has for us.
From biblical scholar John Bergsma--two-time teacher of the year at the Franciscan University of Steubenville--comes a fresh, fun, and authentically Catholic introduction to the "big picture" of salvation history. This overview of the Bible is based on Bergsma's wildly popular introduction to theology course at Franciscan. Bergsma combines sound theology, academic expertise, pastoral wisdom, and an endearing playfulness to draw readers into the connection between the great stories of the Bible and salvation in Jesus. John is with us.
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23
Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
Luke 12:13-21
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Note: This topic can get a little deep at times. Don't give up...hang in there. The index below is to some topics in the recording that I found most interesting.
00:00 - The partial truths that many use to try to disprove the existence of God.
09:05 - Something cannot come from Nothing.
13:00 - The extreme odds that the universe could get to where it is today if it were left to random chance.
29:10 - Who made God? Father Spitzer did a GREAT job of answering this question for a young boy who called into the show. We can all learn from this answer.
33:45 - More examples of the extreme odds against our universe being what it is if left to chance.
45:20 - The age of the universe according to science vs the age according to the genealogy of the bible.
Why do we have to prove the existence of God? My simple answer is: Because people want proof for everything they believe. Some people want more proof than others. For me, a simple look at nature with all of its beauty and complexity is enough for me. However, having a deeper understand can go along way when you get that tough question from a non-believer. This recording can help everyone get to a little deeper understanding. For those that need a deeper understanding they can visit Father Spitzer's www.magisreasonfaith.org website.
There are many things in nature that amaze me and strengthen my belief in God. The one I like to share involves the Lodgepole Pine tree. The Lodgepole Pine seed is enclosed in a cone that can maintain the seed for many years. The only natural event capable of generating enough heat to cause the cone to release the seed and allow it to grow is a forest fire. I saw firsthand the results of this amazing feature when I visited Yellowstone National Park in 2011 and saw all of the young Lodgepole Pines that blanketed the areas burned by the huge forest fires of 1988. I have a difficult time believing the Lodgepole Pine developed this amazing survival method by random chance. It had to be created by an all knowing God.Source: Catholic Answers
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 16, 1952, Fr. Spitzer is a Catholic Priest in the Jesuit order, and is currently the President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith (www.magisreasonfaith.org) and the Spitzer Center (www.spitzercenter.org). The Magis Center produces documentaries, books, high school curricula, college courses, adult-education curricula, and new media materials to show the close connection between faith and reason in contemporary astrophysics, philosophy, and historical study of the New Testament. The Spitzer Center produces facilitated curricula to strengthen culture, faith, and spirit in Catholic organizations as well as nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Genesis 18:20-32
Colossians 2:12-14
Luke 11:1-13
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The first segment (Beginning - 21:20) of the YouTube video above is a very good interview with author, William Bennett, about his book "The Book of Man". This is the second story I have listened to in the last couple months that really makes me step back and think about my role as a father in preparing my children for adulthood.
Bill Bennett, syndicated radio host and author of The Book of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood, on what is lacking and what it means to be a man in today's culture. He also discusses the presidential race in the US.
Don't trust what you see and hear in today's movies and cable television stations like the History Channel. Watch this video and get an introduction to the truth about the "missing books of the Bible".Source: Catholic Answers
Catholic Answers Senior Apologist Jimmy Akin explains how the early Christians knew which books did not belong in the canon of Scripture.
What Did Early Christians Really Believe?
The Answer Will Surprise and Amaze You!
For those like me that support Pro-Life but are not actively involved, most of what you will hear in this interview is a real eye opener. The first of two most surprising parts in this interview is when Dr. Monica Miller discusses court proceedings associated with some of her own personal arrests. The second surprise is when a caller called in during the interview and said he felt abortion was necessary because the world is over populated. Unbelievable! (See my "Risk of Over Population??? NOT!" blog for more related to over population)
Every day, thousands of children fragile, innocent, alone are abandoned. They are brutally snuffed from the world and literally left in the trash . . . and it's all legal. Since 1976, Monica Miller has made it her life's work to defend the unborn: she has counseled pregnant women outside of abortion clinics and organized pro-life groups and sit-ins at many of those same clinics. She has blocked abortionists cars, been arrested, and gone to jail. And she has pulled the bodies of thousands of unborn babies out of dumpsters and given them a proper burial. Monica is here to tell the true-life tale of life and death, and a plea for the protection of the most helpless and innocent members of the human family.
We have all heard at some time in our life that the world is becoming over populated. This argument is regularly used by those promoting abortion. It is amazing how different the truth actually is when you are not trying to promote some other agenda. Listen to this interview and get the rest of the story (and the truth) about population growth.
As of Oct. 31, 2011, according to the U.N. Population Fund, there will be 7 billion people inhabiting the earth. The Associated Press reports it this way: “Is catastrophe inevitable? Not necessarily. But experts say most of Africa - and other high-growth developing nations such as Afghanistan and Pakistan - will be hard-pressed to furnish enough food, water and jobs for their people, especially without major new family-planning initiatives.” The executive director of the U.N. Population Fund, says “There are 215 million women worldwide who need family planning and don't get it. If we can change that, and these women can take charge of their lives, we'll have a better world." Steve Mosher of the Population Research Institute has a different view.
Is the Bible true? "Christianity is not true because we believe it. We believe it because it is true". This interview discusses several archeology finds in the Holy Lands that support the bible.
Many times over the past few years Steve Ray has knelt in prayer at the tombs of Peter and Paul – and of Jesus, with tears welling up. “It’s true! It’s historical! I believe.” For Catholics, archaeology of the historical events of the New Testament confirms our trust in scripture and the Church. As we read Scripture and dig in the dirt, we remember, “It is not true because I believe, I believe because it is true.” Steve Ray is here to discuss the archaeology of the Bible..
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Philippians 4:4-9
(If you do not see the embedded video above, click here to play the video.)
Audio Only - MP3 Play/Download Link
Dr. Ray and Marcus do a wonderful job of bringing these verses to life by pointing out how many Christians today misapply these verses in their daily lives.Source: CHNI - Deep in Scripture
www.chnetwork.orgProduction Date: 9/14/2011
Dr. Ray Guarendi is the father of 10, clinical psychologist, author, public speaker and nationally syndicated radio host. His radio show― "The Doctor Is In" ― can be heard weekdays. Please see our radio affiliate listings (Ave Maria Radio & EWTN Radio) for a station in your area. You can also listen live online or on Sirius satellite radio, channel 130. Dr. Ray's experience includes school districts, Head Start programs, mental health centers, substance abuse programs, inpatient psychiatric centers, juvenile courts, and a private practice. Contact Info: www.drray.com
This interview with Betsy Andreu was done before Lance's interview with Opra in early January 2013. Betsy was interviewed by many news agencies after Lance's Opra interview but none of them went as deep into Betsy's story as this interview. The best part of this interview is when Betsy talks about how her Catholic faith helped her through this fight for the truth. A fight she could have dropped (like many other people did) and her and her family would have greatly benefited financially. None of us know for sure what we would do if we were put in a situation like this, but Betsy is a great example of how I hope I would have had the strength to respond.
For some of those who knew Lance Armstrong the best, his fall from grace amid doping allegations is no surprise at all. Betsy Andreu, a former family friend to Armstrong says Armstrong is the “Bernie Madoff” of the sporting world. Andreu says Armstrong played the world and the media for years while knowingly taking performance enhancing drugs. Betsy joins us to discuss how she and Armstrong had a falling out when she refused to lie about something she heard while visiting Armstrong in the hospital at the time he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Genesis 18:1-10a
Colossians 1:24-28
Luke 10:38-42
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Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 10:25-37
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